Gauging machine



Feb. 1l, 1936. R. J. BRlTTAlN, JR., ETAL 2,030,237

GAUGING MACHINE I original Filed July s, 192e 2 sheets-sheet 1 F/G' 2# f wwf/WMS:

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Patented Feb. 11, 1936 UNiTED STATES PATENT o I-FICE GAUGING MACHINE Richard J. Britiain, Jr., Newark, and John C. Bell, Lyndhurst, N. J., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application July 3, 192e, serial No. 120,313 Renewed July 12, 1933 27 Claims.. (c1. 33-147) l i An object of the invention is toprovide im` proved apparatus for detecting variations in certain dimensions of an article such as a sleeve. Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for measuring the thickness of a hollow article at all points in its circumference` and also for determining such dimension simultaneously with the detection of unacceptable variations in another dimension of the article. Another object is to provide improved apparatus for indicating an out of round condition of an article of any selected diameter. Another object is to provide improved .apparatus for detecting variation in the length of an article such as a sleeve.

' another object is to provide apparatus for supalso consists in thevarious matters hereinafter provide improved apparatus for supporting and l rotating hollow articles in a definite position for an operation on the inner wall thereof.

To these ends and to improve generally upon devices of this Ageneral character, the invention described .and claimed.

necessarily limited to the particular embodiment selected for mere illustrative purposes in the ac'- companying ,drawings in which Figure lisa plan view of the apparatus with some parts in section.

Figure 2 is a front elevation.

Figure 3 is a side elevation with some parts removed. I Figure 4 is a perspective view of certain details.

Figure 5 is a diagram.

In the drawings, I0 indicates a base frame to rest on a bench or table and having near'the front a pair of spaced-inclined tracks or ways l2 dovetailed to receive a slide I4 having standards I6 with trun'nionslil for-rotatably support- Still' support an art c ment and serves as ameans for adiusting the slide along the ways. A scale plate 28 fastened to the front of the slideway cooperates with an index line 30 on the lfront of the slide to indicate the position of the roller 20 as will appear. 5 The frame I0 has a, hollow standard 34 at one rear corner to'which a gauge box 36 is bolted. The box has a hollow boss 38 receiving the end of a shaft 40 which rotatably supports a wheel or roller 42 parallel to the roller 20. Roller 42 10 preferably rolls on ball bearings (not shown). The front end of the shaft is threaded and clamped by a nut in a bracket 44 on the side of the frame, near'the front. Theroller 42 is rotated by a round belt 48 trained around a groove 15' at the rear end of the roller and around a small pulley 50 on a countershaft 52 journalled on the frame and having a large pulley 54 driven by a belt 56 .from a pulley 58 on the shaft of an elec-` tric motor 60. The two rollers 20 and 42 have 2g parallel axes, in the preferred embodiment, and

` e, such as a sleeve W, the d. menslons of which are to be tested during rotation. When the'rollers have parallel axes, the

roller 20 is adjusted by its inclined slide for the 25A purpose of supporting, by line contact, all sleeves to be tested in such' a position that their axes are parallel to the axis of roller 42 and in the same plane with this axis and with certain gauge members, as will appear. In the illustrated construc- 3o Vtion, the axis of roller 42 and the gauge members are arranged in a horizontal plane and sleeves W The invention, in its broader aspects, is ,noti 0f any diameter are 4capable of support with their axes in this plane. The scale plate 28 may be so marked that it Kwill indicate the proper posi- 35 A tions of the slide to-support sleeves of different diameters at vthis level. When the roller 42 or the article is not cylindrical, the axes of rotation of the roller and the article will not be -parallel but ne'vertheless the line of contact of 40 the roller with an article under test will bear a constant relation to the axis of rotation of the article.

For gauging or testing the wall thickness -o1" a sleeve W, the followingmechanismls provided. 415v A gauge member or ieeler 64 on an adjustingscrew 66 continuously rides on the interior surface of the sleeve in the .same plane with the axis oi' the sleeve and of the roller 42. The. adjusting screw 66 is carried by the short arm of a long 50 lever 68 pivoted at 'l0 in a known way by thin crossed springs attached to 'cleats on the lever and on the gauge. box. The longer arm o1' the lever 68 has a contact button 16 engaging a button 'I8 on a Second lever pivoted to the gauge box at 82 5 5 Y the frame to locate its upper end at one side of.

l on crossed springs. The free end of the second lever bears against the stem 84 of an indicator 86 fastened to the outside of the gauge box. 'I'he in'- dicator has a needle which indicates if there is an unacceptable variation in wall thickness of the rotated sleeve W at any point in its periphery. To make easy the rapid application of a sleeve W to the rollers, the gauge point or feeler 64 is movable directly away from the roller 42 by a treadle operated mechanism comprising a lever 90 which may be pivoted at any suitable point on the length of a sleeve and for measuring the outside diameter or indicating any unacceptable variation in these dimensions or an out of round condition. Bolted to the side of the standard 34 is an angle bracket |00 having a long dovetailed slideway |02 for a dovetailed slide |04 adjustable by a screw |06 operated by a crank handle |08. A hand nut ||0 engages a headed clamping screw (not shown) to retain the slide in adjusted position. The slide has an inclined ilat portion ||4 at the frontto support an indicator I I6 the stem of which has a gauge point ||8 which is in the same plane with both the axis of thesleeve W to be tested and with the axis of the driven roller 42. 'I'he gauge point H8 is consequently movable in a radial line normal to the outer circumference of the sleeve W. Both gauge members 64 and H8, of course, also move in a line normal to the roller 42. For work-pieces of diierent diameters, the slide |04 is adjusted along its lslideway tov the -proper point to procure the correct indicator reading for a standard or master piece.

The slide has a small lateral arm |20 which is' split to receive a stem |22 on a fork |24 which rotatably supports a gauge roll |26. The stem |22 is movable endwise through the split arm and can be clamped in adiusted position by a thumb screw |28. This adjustment is for sleeves'of different lengths and this roll cooperates with another for measuring the length of a sleeveand indicating any unacceptable variation.' as by colored lights, electrically controlled by the gauge. The slide |04 has a depending split sleeve |30 in which a shaft |32 is adjustably xed by a clamping screw |34. 'I'he front end of the shaft is reduced in diameter to receivethe inner race rings of ball bearings which rockably support an indicator arm or bracket |38 having a hub |40. The hub carries the outer race rings of the ball bearings and an adjusting nut |42 for one of these outer racev rings. A sleeve |44 spaces the inner race rings which are held on the shaft by clamping nuts |46. 'I'he indicator bracket or arm |38 is Curved and carries an indicator |50 at its end. The stem |52 of the indicator is connected to a fork |54 carrying a gauge roll |56 and is guided in a cup or sleeve |58 on a plate |60 boltedto the indicator housing.

The gauge rolls |26 and |56 are normally opposed to one another and engage oppcsite ends of the sleeve W to be tested and by their relative movement .if approach indicate the size of the sleeve. To facilitate the placing of a sleeve W in testing position, the gauge roll |56 and -its supporting structure can be swungupwardly and laterally by a handle |62 threaded in a boss |64 of the hub |40. To hold the arm |38 in up or in down position, its hub carries a spring pressed plunger |66 arranged to engage in radial grooves in a collar |68 fastened to the shaft by a taper pin |10. The plunger snaps back into its recess in the bracket' when suflicient force is applied to the handle. The hub |40 has a' stop lug |12 arranged to abut against a stop screw |14 threaded in an extension |16 of the collar |68. This locates the gauge roll |56 at the proper level to oppose the gauge roll |26 to thus measure' the length of a sleeve. The gauge rolls, being opposite, tend to hold the sleeve W in parallelism with its supporting rollers. The indicator needle may serve to indicate any unacceptable departure from standard length but, preferably, to avoid the necessity for watching too many dials and needles, colored lights or bells are utilized to dezignate whether a sleeve is unduly oversize or undersize.

The indicator stem |52 is arranged to abut against the short arm of a lever |86 pivoted in a fork |88 formed on the indicator housing. A leaf spring |90 holds the lever against the end of the stem |52. The lever is normally in electrical connection through its supporting bracket and lug |12 with a source of current andl its en d |92 is normally spaced from opposing contacts on leaf springs |94 fastened by screws to angle plates |98 which are secured to insulating blocks 200 screwed to aflat face on the indicator bracket or arm. Adiusting screws 202 on the insulating blocks adjust the springs in accordance with the acceptable variation in the length o1' the articles so that contact is made with one side of the lever if the work is oversize or undersize. 204 and 206 lead from binding posts on the angle plates to lights, such as a red light 208 and a white light 2|0 placed within convenient view of the operator. A return wire 2|2 from the lights and the source of current is normally in electrical communication with the lever |86 and its arm |38. 'Ihe wire leads to a screw 2|4 extending through the upper edge of an insulating pad 2|6 sleeved on theshaft and fastened'to the collar |68. The screw 2|4 secures a contact clip 2|8 in a recess of the insulating pad in a position to engage the end ofthe lug |12 on the hub of the rocking arm |38 when the latter is in swung-down operative position. When the arm is swung up to allow-a new article to be inserted, the lug |12 is Acarried out of contact with the clip 2|8 to place the lever |86out of electrical connection with the source of current.

In operation, a sleeve W to be tested or measured, is laid on the rollers 20 and 42 and rotated by contact with the driven or control roller which regulates the speed. Inlinserting the sleeve, a treadle is actuated temporarily to move the gauge member 64 of the thickness gauge away from the roller 42 and the swinging arm of the length indicator is then vin its up position so that the sleeve can be moved substantially axially against lthe rear gauge roll |26. 'I'he act of inserting the Wires' roller 20 is moved up-.or down with its inclined slide to the point where 'the axis of the new.

sleeve is in the plane of the axis of the roller 42 and of the gauge pointsl and IIB. The slide |04- is 4moved horizontally along itsslideway to pla'ce the outside gauge and the length gauge inthe proper position which is preferably diametrically opposite to the roller 42. IfA the length of the new sleeve is diierent, the gauge roll |26 is moved by itsadjusting stem, and the gauge roll |56 with its associated mechanism is adjusted by clamping the shaft |32 in another position in its sleeve |30. It is not necessary to adjust both rolls |26 and |56 for change in length unless it is desired to measure the wall thickness at the transverse Jcenter of the new sleeve.

In order that sleeves of different diameters may all be supported'with their axes in the same plane with the gauge members 64 and H8, the roller 2i)t should be movable at an inclination to this plane which is one half the angle between two radii from the'center of the sleeve W to the points of contact of thegauge member H8 and the roller 20 with the periphery of the sleeve. In the illustrated construction, the roller 2|! is movable along a 221/2 incline and contacts -with the sleeve W at a point 45 from the gauge member I I8. When the article to be tested is tapered instead of cylindrical, the supporting rollers may have their axes converge in order to maintain 4line contact with the article while the gauge member is moving along a radius of the article.

We claim: V

l. In apparatus of the character described, a roller for engaging a cylindrical article and furnishing a solid backing therefor lengthwise thereof, means for rotating the roller to turn the article, means for holding the article with its axis parallel to and in constant spaced relation to the axis v,of rotation of the roller, a gauge member, a gauge mounting fixed in a definite relation to the roller and the article holding means for constraining the gauge member to move in a direction substantially normal to the axis of the roller,

. and an indicator actuated by the gauge member;

an opening, means for rotating the roller to turn Substantially as described.4

roller constructed and arranged for line contact with a hollow article having an inner wall and the article, means for holding the article with its axis in a constant relation to the line of *contact presented by'the roller to the article, a gauge member movable in a direction substantially normal to the axis of the' roller, a lever carrying said gauge member and entering the hollow article to present the gauge member to the inner wall of the article, and an indicator actuated by the lever; Vsubstantially as described.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of rollers for supporting a round article, roller supports for maintaining the rollers in constant spaced relation to support the article for A rotation in a definite location, means for rotating one of said rollers to turn the article, a gauge member for riding against the surface of the article while thus supported and movable in a di- Y rection normal to one of said rollers, an indicator different diameter, and a sliding support shiftable on the frame and carrying said gauge member and indicator; substantially as described.

4. In apparatus vof the character described, a

3 roller constructed and arranged for line contact with a round article having an end, means for rotating the roller to turn the article, means for holding the article with its axis inA a substan'- tially constant relation to the line of Contact presented by the roller to the article, a gauge member movable in a direction substantially normal to theaxis of the roller, an indicator actuated by the gauge member,l a gauge member engaging an end of the article, an indicator actuated by the last gauge member,`and a sliding support substantially as described.

5. In apparatus lof the character described, a

-roller for engaging a hollow article having inner and outer surfaces and an opening, means for rotating the roller to turn the article, means for holding the` article'with its axis in constant relation to the axis of rotation of the roller, a

gauge member, a gauge mounting xed in a def-v ated by the gauge members; substantially as de scribed.

'for both of said gauge members and indicators;

6. In apparatus of the character described, a I

roller for engaging a hollow article having an opening and inner and outer surfaces and an end, means for rotating the roller to turn the article, means for holding the article with its axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller, a gauge member mounted to move in a direction substantially normal to the axis of the roller against the inner 'I surface of the article, a gauge member mounted to move in a direction vsubstantially normal to the I axis of the roller against the outer surface of the article, the movement of both said gauge members also being radially ofthe article, a gauge member engaging an end of the article, and indicators actuated by the gauge members; substantially as described.

7. In apparatus. of the characterl described,

means for supporting and rotating a round article.

having opposite ends with said opposite ends of the article exposed, gauge members for engaging the opposite ends of the article and mounted for relative movement of approach, means for indicating theextent of said relative movement,

and a swinging support for one of said gauge f members; substantially as described.

, 8. In apparatus of the character described, a roller for supporting a round article having opposite ends by line contact to leave said opposite ends of the article exposed, means for rotating the roller to turn the article, means for holding the article with its axisl in substantially constant relationto said line of contact with the roller, rolls for engaging the ends of the article and mounted for relative movement of approach means for indicating the extent of said relative A. movement, and a swinging support for one of said rolls; substantialy as described.

. 9. In apparatus of the character described, a

roller for supporting a hollow article having an' inner surface and opposite ends exposed, means for rotatingI the roller to turn the article, means for holding the article with its axis in substantially constant relation to the axis of rotation of the roller, a gauge member mounted to move in ing the length a direction substantially normal to the axis of the roller against the inner surface of the article, and gauging members for engaging the ends of the article and mounted for relative movement of approach, means for indicating .the extent of said relative movement, and a swinging support for one of said end gauging members to enable the article to be slipped over the rst gauge member and against the other of said end gauging members; substantially as described.

10. In apparatus of the character described, means for supporting and rotating a round article having opposite ends with said opposite ends of the article exposed, gauge members for engaging the opposite ends of the `article and mounted for relative movement of approach, means for indicating the extent of said relative movement, and a sliding support for both of the gauge members to carry them towards or from the article supporting means; substantially as described.

11. In apparatus of the character described, means for supporting and rotating a round article having opposite ends with said opposite ends of the article exposed, gauge members for engaging the opposite ends of the article and mounted for relative movement of approach, means for indicating the extentpof said relative movement, a sliding support for both o1' the gauge members to carry them towards or from the article supporting means, and -means ofor varying the initial spacing of said gauge members on said support for articles of diiferent lengths; substantially as described.

12. In apparatus of the character described, meansfor supporting a round article having ends with the ends of the article exposed, a sliding support movable with respect to the supporting means, a gauge member adjustably carried by said support to engage one end oi' the article, a rocking arm adjustably carried by the support, la gauge member carried by the rocking arm and movable towards and from the first gauge member, and an indicator actuated by the second gauge member; substantially as described.

13. In apparatus o! the character described,Y

means ifor supporting and rotating a round article having opposite endsl with said opposite ends of the article exposed, gauge members for engaging the opposite ends of the article andA mounted for relative movement of approach; a lever actuated by one of said gauge members, electric contacts on opposite sides of the lever, and electrically actuated indicating means controlled by the lever and the contacts for indicatof the article; substantially as described.

14. In apparatus or the character described, means for supporting and rotating a round article having opposite ends with said opposite ends of the article exposed, gauge" members for engaging the opposite ends of the article and mounted for relativeA movement of approach, a lever actuated by one of said.l gauge members, electric contacts on opposite' sides of the lever, electrically actuated indicating means' controlled by said lever and the contacts i'or indicating the length of the article, and a swingable mounting for one of said gauge members constructed and arranged to render said indicating means inactive; substantially as'described.`

15. In apparatus of -the character described,

means for supporting an article with the ends of the article exposed, a gauge member for engaging onel end of the article,A a arm havlng a lug, a collar having a stop member to engage said lug,'a gauge membermounted on said arm to engage the other end of the article, electrically controlled indicating means actuated by said gauge member for indicating the size of the article, and means for rocking said arm; substantially as. described.

16. In apparatus of the character described, means for supporting an article with the ends of the articleexposed, a gauge member for engaging one end of the article, a rocking arm having a lug, a collar having a stop member to engage said lug; a contact making member engaging said lug, a gauge member mounted on said arm to engage the other end of the article, electrically controlled indicating means in circuit with said lug for indicating .the size of the article, and means -for rocking said arm to carry said lug away from the contact making member; substantially as described.

17. In apparatus of the character described, a roller having line contact with the exterior surface of a round article, means for rotating the roller to turn the article. a second roller having line contact with the exterior surface of the article, a mounting for maintaining the rollers in constant spaced relation to support the article for rotation in a definite location, a gauge member for riding on the surface of the article when rotatably supported by the rollers, means for supporting the gauge member for movement substantially along a radius of the article, and size indicating means actuated by the gauge member;- substantially as described.

18. In apparatus of the character described, a roller constructed and arranged for line con-4 tact with a round article, means for causing rotation of the roller and the article, means for holding the article with its axis in a substantially constant relation to the line of contact presented contact with the exterior surface of a round article, the rollers having a mounting for maintaining them in constant spaced relation to support the article for rotation ln a definite location; means -for rotating one of the rollers to turn the article on its axis, a gauge member for riding against the surface of the article while so'supported and movable in a direction substantially normall to the axis of one of the rollers, and an indicator actuated by the gauge member; substantially as described.

20. In apparatus of the character described, a pair oi.' rollers constructed and arranged for line contact with the exterior surface of a hollow -round article having an inner surface and an opening, the rollers having a mounting for maintaining them in constant spaced relation to support the article for rotation in a definite position, means for rotating one of the rollers to turn the article on its axis, a gauge member for riding against the inner surface of the article while thus supported and movable in a direction substantially normal to the axis of one of the rollers, an indicator actuated by the gauge member, and means formoving the gauge member away from y pair of rollers for supporting a round article by and means for causing pressure of said member.

engagement with the outer surface thereof, means for rotating one of the rollers to turn the article, a mounting for maintaining the rollers in constant spaced relation to support the article for rotation in a definite location, a gauge member for riding against the surface of the article while thus supported and movable in a direction substantially normal to the axis of the article, an indicator actuated bythe gauge member, and a sliding support for one of the rollers to space the rollers for. supporting an article of another size in corresponding relation to the gauge member; substantially as described.

22. In apparatus of the character described, a roller for engaging the exterior surface of a hollow round article having a bore thereon, a second rollerA for engaging the exterior surface of the article at another location, means for rotating one of the rollers to turn the article, the rollers being maintained in constant spaced relation to support the article for rotation in a definite location, a member entering the bore of the article to engage the inner wall thereof,

. against said inner wall in a direction towards the axis of one of said rollers at a point opposite to the contact line between the exterior surface of the article and said roller; substantially as described.

23. In apparatus of the character described, a control roller having rolling line contact with a round article to control rotation thereof, means for rotatably driving the control roller, a second roller .having rolling line'contact with the article, a mounting for maintaining the rollers in ticle during its rotation in the supported position, and a mounting for said member to maintain vits article contacting portion in a plane containing both the axis oi' the article and the lline of contact of said article-with oneof the rollers; substantially as 'described'.

24. In apparatus of the character described, a

control roller having rolling line contact with a round article to controlrotation thereof, means for rotatably driving the control roller, a second roller having 'rolling line contact with the article, a member contacting with the article in a plane passing through the axis of the article and through the line of contact of the -article with one of the rollers, and means for adjusting the other of the rollers to move its axis in a plane at an angle to said first plane to support articles of various selected. diameters with their axes in said first plane; substantially as described.

25. In apparatus of the character described, a roller having rolling line contact withthe exterior surface of a hollow round article having an inner `wall and an opening, other means having supporting contact with the article to maintain its axis of rotation in a substantially constant relation to said line of contact, means for effecting rotation of the article in supported position, a member engaging the inner wall of the article at a point-,directly opposite to the external lineof contact with the roller, and means mounting said member and said roller so that one is urged towards the other in a direction to maintain the point of contact and the line of contact always in the same plane; substantially as described.

26. In. a machine of the character indicated, the combination with a work-support' having unyielding means for engaging one surface of a hollow work-piece at a plurality of points to hold the work-piece'for rotation upon said support. of an implement so related to said support means, and a mounting for constraining the irn-A plement to move radially of the. work-piece and normal to said unyielding means; substantially as described.v v

27. In a machine of the character indicated, a

regulating wheel for engaging one surface of a hollow work-pi e and rotatably driven to regulate the surf ce speed of the Work-piece, an implement engaging the other surface thereof 'along that axial plane of the Work-piece which includes the place of engagement of said regulating wheel -with the work-piece, and means for steadying the work-piece. during the period thesaid implement is engaging it; substantially as described.

JOHNC.'.BE]'.L. RICHARD J. BRI'ITAIN. JR. 

